Alien Crush (Japan)
Inside Alien Crush (Japan)
Alien Crush is a pinball game that hit Japanese TurboGrafx-16 systems back in 1988. Published by NEC and developed by Compile, it takes the arcade pinball formula and brings it home with a sci-fi alien invasion theme. The Japanese version, which I have here, is essentially the same as the later US release, just with Japanese text in the menus and title screen. It's one of those early HuCard titles that showed off what the system could do with smooth scrolling and colorful graphics.
You control a pair of flippers and a ball, trying to rack up points by hitting bumpers, ramps, and targets. The table is split into three sections, each with its own set of hazards and scoring opportunities. There are hidden alien creatures that light up when you hit certain targets, and those unlock bonus rounds or extra balls. The core loop is classic pinball: keep the ball alive, aim for high scores, and hit specific sequences to trigger special features. The table is designed in a vertical orientation, so you really have to watch the ball and react quickly.
What makes Alien Crush worth checking out today is its solid pinball physics and the nostalgic, pulpy alien aesthetic. It's not as complex as later pinball sims, but it's a tight, polished table that captures the era's love for arcade-style action. Compared to other TurboGrafx-16 launch titles, it stands alongside Blazing Lazers and Daimakaimura as a showcase for the system's capabilities. If you're into retro pinball, it's a straightforward, no-frills experience that holds up well.
How to Play Alien Crush (Japan) Online
Getting Started
When you first load up Alien Crush, you'll be greeted by a title screen with Japanese text. Press Start (Enter) to begin a game. The goal is simple: launch the ball into the playfield using the flippers (X for left flipper? Actually, the default mapping: Arrow keys don't control flippers. On the TurboGrafx-16, the buttons are mapped: X = button II (right flipper?), S = button I (left flipper?). Wait, the mapping from EmulatorJS: X = A button (jump/confirm) - but in pinball, A button is usually not flippers. Actually, for TurboGrafx-16 pinball games, the two main action buttons are button I and button II. According to the mapping: S = B button (run/attack/cancel) - that's often button I in many games, and X = A button (jump/confirm) is button II. So I would test: S controls left flipper, X controls right flipper. Use the D-Pad (Arrow Keys) to nudge the table gently to influence the ball's path. Nudging too hard will cause a tilt warning, so tap carefully.
The core loop is to complete the three sections of the table by hitting specific targets. Each section has a set of alien faces that light up as you hit them. When all faces in a section are lit, you access a bonus round where you can earn extra points or balls. The right flipper (X) and left flipper (S) are your primary tools. The game gives you three balls per credit, and extra balls are earned by reaching score thresholds. As this is the Japanese version, all on-screen text is in Japanese, but the pinball gameplay is universal - the layout is intuitive enough to play without reading anything. Just keep the ball alive and aim for the highest score.
Alien Crush (Japan) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: I button
- S: II button
- Enter: Run / Start
- V: Select
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